A09339:1419
A Golden Chain
A golden chain: or The description of theology containing the order of the causes of salvation and damnation, according to Gods word. A view whereof is to be seen in the table annexed. Hereunto is adjoined the order which M. Theodore Beza used in comforting afflicted consciences.A golden chaine: or The description of theologie containing the order of the causes of saluation and damnation, according to Gods word. A view whereof is to be seene in the table annexed. Hereunto is adioyned the order which M. Theodore Beza vsed in comforting afflicted consciences.
Cambridge: printed by John Legat, 1600Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legat, 1600
AN EXPOSITION OF THE CREED. I believe in God. &c.AN EXPOSITION OF THE CREED. I beleeue in God. &c.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
And though the soule• of men have a beginning, yet they have no end, but are eternal. And when they are said to die, it is not because they cease at any time to subsist or have being in nature, but because they cease to be righteous ⟨p. 240⟩or to have fellowship with God.
And though the soule• of men haue a beginning, yet they haue no end, but are eternall. And when they are saide to die, it is not because they cease at any time to subsist or haue beeing in nature, but because they cease to be righteous ⟨p. 240⟩or to haue fellowship with God.
Whereas our bodies are Gods workmanship, we must glorify him in our bodies, and all the actions of body and soul, our eating and drinking, our living and dying, must be referred to his glory: yea we must not hurt or abuse our bodies,1 but present them as holy and living sacrifices unto God. And whereas God made us of the dust of the earth, we are not to glory and boast our selves, but rather to take occasion to praise the great goodness of God, that hath vouchsafed to honour us being but dust and ashes. And after that man is created, what is his life? alas, it is nothing but a little breath: stop his mouth and his nostrils, and he is but a dead man. By this we are put in mind to consider of our frail and uncertain estate, and to lay aside all confidence in our selves: and for this cause the Prophet Isaiah teacheth us to have no confidence in man,2 because his breath is in his nostrils. Again, let us mark the frame and shape of mans body. All other creatures go with their bodies and eyes to the ground-ward; but man was made to go upright: and whereas all other creatures have but four muscles to turn their eyes round about, man hath a fifth to pull his eyes up to heaven-ward.